Incredible nervous state, trepidation beyond words: to be this much in love is to be sick (and I love to be sick)

Incredible nervous state, trepidation beyond words: to be this much in love is to be sick (and I love to be sick)

Georges Bataille, a French writer and philosopher known for his exploration of taboo subjects and the limits of human experience, often delved into the darker aspects of human nature. In his work, he frequently touched upon themes of desire, excess, and the intersection of pleasure and pain. The quote “Incredible nervous state, trepidation beyond words: to be this much in love is to be sick (and I love to be sick)” encapsulates Bataille’s fascination with the intense and often destructive nature of love.

Bataille believed that love, particularly a love that borders on obsession, can lead to a state of heightened emotional and physical turmoil. The feeling of being “sick” with love suggests a kind of intoxication, a feverish state of being consumed by desire. This intense emotional state can be both exhilarating and terrifying, blurring the lines between pleasure and pain.

For Bataille, this kind of all-consuming love represents a form of transcendence, a way to break free from the constraints of everyday life and experience a deeper connection with the self and the other. In his view, love that pushes the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or normal can lead to a greater understanding of the complexities of human existence.

However, Bataille also recognized the dangers inherent in such intense emotions. Love that is taken to extremes can become destructive, leading to obsession, possessiveness, and ultimately, suffering. The idea of being “sick” with love suggests a kind of madness, a loss of control that can have devastating consequences.

Despite the risks involved, Bataille embraced the idea of being consumed by love, seeing it as a necessary part of the human experience. To him, the intensity of love, even when it borders on sickness, is a testament to the depth of human emotion and the power of desire. In the end, Bataille believed that it is better to love fiercely and risk being “sick” than to live a life devoid of passion and intensity.